Despite being busier during the summer months, Cornwall remains a fantastic destination, even with the unpredictable British weather! Cornwall is a paradise of rugged coastlines, charming fishing villages, and breathtaking landscapes. Plus visiting throughout Summer, you’ll get the chance to spot some incredible wildlife, like puffins and other migrating birds. Generally, the weather is better with milder temperatures and less rain (although as we all know, it’s never a guarantee).
Everything is open in the summer: hotels, B&Bs, campsites, museums, and local attractions. Just remember to book ahead with this being a busy period! Outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, and excursions are in full swing, giving you plenty to do. If you’re lucky with the weather, you’ll catch some amazing sunrises and sunsets, especially along the coast. The days are super long, with sunsets as late as 9:30PM in June, so there’s loads of time to explore during the day.
Make sure to add these must-see destinations to your itinerary for an unforgettable summer getaway!
St Michael’s Mount is a small rocky island off the coast of Marazion, crowned by a medieval castle and church. Accessible by foot during low tide or by boat during high tide, this iconic landmark offers stunning views and a rich history. It’s been occupied by the St Aubyn family for generations and still is today, along with a community of around 30 islanders. Once venturing over to the island you can explore the sub-tropical gardens and discover the legends of the mount. It’s great for a truly unique day out! If you’re a national trust member you’ll be able to bag yourself free entry, however, make sure you book in advance.
This charming seaside town feels like an island getaway, with its white sandy beaches and stunning ocean views around every corner. St Ives is packed with quaint cobbled streets, shops, and independent eateries, not to mention a bustling fishing harbour!
If you’re an Art enthusiast, you’ll adore St Ives for its strong artistic roots—it’s famously home to the Tate St Ives, the UK’s smallest art gallery tucked behind Porthmeor Beach. Just a short stroll away, you’ll also find the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Here, you can delve into the life, studio, and garden of sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
In my personal opinion this is a fabulous must-see fishing village! You’d be hard pressed to find a traditional fishing village as pretty and iconic as the magnificent Polperro. The old buildings, cobbled streets and pretty cottages give this place an undeniable amount of charm. The only drawback is the extortionate parking prices especially if you’re in a motorhome or large campervan, you’re looking at £12 for 3 hours. A shame because this village is otherwise a special one.
St Agnes is great for those who enjoy walking and being surrounded by nature. It’s perched high on the cliffs of the north Cornish coast, giving you a peaceful, remote feel. Down by the main beach, Trevaunance Cove, you’ve got everything from paddling and rock pooling to surfing if you prefer to do something a little more active.
If you take a wander two miles along the South West Coast Path you’ll hit Chapel Porth—a wild, rocky beach surrounded by steep cliffs covered in gorse. St Agnes Head is a big deal too, with old mine buildings like Wheal Charlotte and Wheal Coates still standing tall, reminders of Cornwall’s mining history.
Located near Tintagel and situated within an area of outstanding natural beauty and a site of special scientific Interest (due to its rare plants), St Nectan’s Glen is a natural wonder! The main 60ft waterfall impressively plunges through a hole in the rocks as well as two smaller waterfalls. There’s also the Tree of Life café if you fancy a Cornish cream tea and a gift shop to browse. This place was a real highlight of my recent trip, the walk to the waterfall was as impressive as the fall itself. It gave me ‘Jurassic Park’ meets ‘English country garden’ vibes. Once you reach the bottom of the falls you’ll need to cross the shallow river so bring waterproof boots, or you’ll need to walk through it barefoot!
The Bedruthan Steps are incredible rock formations along Cornwall’s north coast. You can get there by tackling some steep steps, but once you’re down at low tide, it’s like stepping into a magical world of towering rocks and wide sandy stretches. It’s seriously a photographer’s dream! Plus a great place to just wander around and explore.
A popular seaside town bordered by 7 miles of cliffs and glorious golden sandy beach. Surfing has certainly put Newquay and the iconic Fistral Beach on the international map, creating a tourist spot with great nightspots, resorts, pubs, restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere! As well as the town centre and beaches, Newquay is home to attractions such as the Bluereef Aquarium, Newquay Zoo and Lappa Valley – where you can ride the famous steam train. This place certainly has something for everyone!
Collie dog lover, keen traveler and travel guide writer. In 2022, I launched No Fuss Travel Guides with 'North Coast 500 - The Road Trip of a Lifetime' which became an Amazon best seller. I've since worked with tourism boards including Visit Wales and have been featured in The Guardian 'Best of Travel'.
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Rob, Staffordshire, UK
